Commentary: Floridians should celebrate immigrant heritage

Because of its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and Latin America, Florida has always welcomed large numbers of immigrants. In fact, 1 in 5 Floridians is foreign-born.

Moreover, immigrants have a profound impact on our state — for example, immigrants account for 1 in 3 entrepreneurs in Florida. From agriculture to tech, today’s immigrants are making a positive difference for all our lives and livelihoods.

Immigration has also given us a rich culture, and there are so many stories to share from not only today’s immigrants but also the many past generations of people who came to this country looking for a better life.

Perhaps your family has a special story to explore; after all, nearly everyone is either an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants. We all have an immigrant story to tell. June reminded us to tell those stories because it was Immigrant Heritage Month in Florida and across the country.

This was the fourth annual Immigrant Heritage Month, which was organized by Welcome.us.

As an immigrant myself, I know how much the stories of our struggles and triumphs mean to us. In my case, I came here and encountered teachers telling me I would never attend a an institution of higher learning because of my lack of financial wealth and immigration status, and I only moved forward after I made my dream of receiving an education my No. 1 priority.

I worked two or three jobs at a time to pay for my education. Was it hard? Of course, but that didn’t stop me. I had a goal in mind and I was going to accomplish it no matter how long it took. I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything, as it makes me even more American to have come so far.

Who would have thought that I would be a graduate from the University of Florida, the top institution in the state, and land a job with one of the biggest political unions in the country today?

Last year, immigrant stories like mine helped create more than 1 billion impressions on social media for Immigrant Heritage Month — a staggering number. And with elected officials in 46 states issuing proclamations in support of the 2016 celebration, and more than 250 corporate partners, it is clear that Immigrant Heritage Month is here to stay.

This year, Immigrant Heritage Month also kicked off a yearlong initiative called “I Stand with Immigrants,” which provides avenues for individuals, companies, organizations and public leaders to take tangible action to support current immigrants to the United States.

Everyone can — and, hopefully, will — participate in this growing coalition.

Immigrant Heritage Month consisted of hundreds of events in dozens of cities throughout the land, including here in Florida.

It’s still not too late to organize your own event, even if it’s just a potluck dinner featuring food from all the cultures of your friends and neighbors. Other events you or your organization can help organize include film screenings, poetry slams, networking mixers, citizenship test information sessions and community organizing workshops, among others.

Finally, don’t forget to use the hashtags #IAmAnImmigrant or #IStandWithImmigrants to show your support on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media platforms.

Florida’s heritage, culture and diversity are perhaps our greatest strength, and we need to raise awareness about the countless contributions made by immigrants.

Whether it’s paying taxes (in 2014, immigrants paid $6.4 billion in state and local taxes and $17 billion in federal taxes), making great art or serving in our armed forces, let the immigrants in your lives know you recognize what they add to this country and how they make Florida such a special place.

Abastida was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and immigrated to Florida at age 11. He is currently an organizer in training with Service Employees International Union from Kissimmee in Central Florida.

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